This is a question that gets asked by parents and students alike. What sport or club or service is the best when it comes to college applications? What is going to make me stand out from the crowd and show the admissions officers I have that "certain something" they are looking for?
The short answer is - Do what you love and that commitment and passion will be undeniable. If you are doing an activity to "check a box" on your application, that will be clear to the admissions officers. If you are truly committed to your activity and have a real passion for what you are doing, that will shine through in your essays and recommendations.
There is no one template that is going to ensure you gain admission to a certain school. In fact, one of the things admissions officers are actively looking for are people that will bring a new perspective, a new voice to their college community. If everyone did the same sports and activities, that would make for a very boring, one-sided culture. Admissions officers are looking for students that will challenge, excite, and engage while on campus.
So how can you make your voice stand out to admissions officers through your activities and service? Take your commitment to that activity to a deeper level! Don't just show up for practices or monthly meetings and "check the box" - take on a leadership role, start a new project within an organization, heck, start your own organization! There are many opportunities to take your activities and interests to a newer, deeper level. Don't just check the box - think outside the box!
This approach to your extracurriculars will help you not just in college admissions, but in life. Find something you love doing and inject yourself into it - find new ways to support an organization, find new projects to help bring your message to more people, and in the process, you will find your voice that will allow you to show others who you really are and what excites you.